wellness
Lansing Parks and Recreation Launches Free Fitness Events Through July
Lansing Parks and Recreation has scheduled multiple no-cost group exercise sessions at city parks and trails through the end of July.
How we reported this
Lansing residents can take part in free group fitness classes at several city sites starting next week. The programs run through July 31 and require no registration fee or equipment beyond comfortable clothes and water.
These sessions come as local health data shows rising interest in outdoor activity during summer months. City records indicate that participation in similar free programs increased by 18 percent from June 2025 to June 2026, driven in part by residents seeking low-cost ways to stay active near home rather than paying for gym memberships.
Where to find the classes
Two primary locations anchor the July lineup. In Moores Park on the west side, instructors lead 45-minute circuit sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. The park sits at the corner of Moores Street and Lansing Avenue, with parking available along the western edge. Further east, the Lansing River Trail near North Lansing hosts early-morning yoga flows on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7 a.m., starting from the trailhead by Turner Street. Both sites fall under the oversight of Lansing Parks and Recreation, which supplies mats and resistance bands for participants who need them.
Attendance numbers from last summer provide context for the scale. The department logged 1,240 check-ins across its free fitness offerings in July 2025, with peak turnout on weekday evenings when temperatures dropped below 80 degrees. This year the city added two extra dates at each location to accommodate growing demand without charging participants.
How to join
Anyone can show up at the posted times; no advance sign-up is required. Those who prefer to plan ahead can view the full calendar on the city website or pick up a printed schedule at the Lansing City Market on South Washington Square. Staff recommend arriving 10 minutes early to allow time for a quick safety briefing and water refill at nearby fountains.
Weather cancellations will be posted on the department's social channels by 4 p.m. the same day. For questions about accessibility or modifications, residents can call the parks office at 517-483-4311 during weekday business hours.